The SNP goes into this Westminster election in as strong a position as we have ever been, and it is perhaps no coincidence that that is because we are offering a real alternative to the drab Tory-Labour cuts consensus.

Since I started writing about politics, a few people have asked me whether I'd ever consider standing as an MP myself. The answer is a very definite no. And actually, it's nothing to do with the money. I'd almost certainly be a terrible politician, and here are five of the many reasons why...

This austerity movement has been unfolding across Europe for some time now, and on the surface it makes perfect sense. After all, cuts lead to savings, which in turn lead to investment and growth - right? Not entirely.

On 18 September, the people of Scotland voted against independence. The Scottish National Party (SNP), created in 1934 with independence as its central goal, had lost. Yet just five months later, they are now positioned as one of the big potential winners in May's UK General Election.

The thing is, politicians are getting their priorities all wrong. They're running around photoshopping campaign posters and trying 'out-norm' each other on Question Time - while what they should be doing is sitting down with a pie, some gin and and the Game of Thrones box set.

While the broadcasting establishment may think they are being clever calling out Cameron and becoming the story, they are really cooking up even more voter dissatisfaction. Inclusive government, not inclusive TV debates, is the key.

The creation of an English Parliament would face considerable issues and political hardship; given the size of England in relation to the rest of the Union. However taking into account the current path we are on, I believe that the creation of a federal Britain is the only viable route we can take. This will help to create a more democratic society, paving the way for another 300 years of political union.

The man who would be king of Scotland has proved himself once again to be a politician's politician. The statesmanship Alex Salmond showed by resigning at the end of an unsuccessful referendum has been matched only by his realpolitik in returning to Westminster politics...

Media speculation surrounding UKIP's likely performance at next year's general election will continue to escalate between now and polling day, as its rise remains one of the key political developments of this parliament. Yet to understand the party's likely fortunes in 2015 and beyond, we need look no further than recent Scottish National Party (SNP) history...

Salmond it seems, just cannot bear to be out of the political limelight. If I was Nicola Sturgeon, I'd be grinding my teeth in frustration... Poor Sturgeon has barely had a chance to stamp her authority on her massively enlarged and politically raw party before Salmond swung the narrative back onto him.

Comparing the SNP to Ukip, even trying to suggest that there may exist similarities between the UK's two most prominent separatist movements really, really angers the Scottish Nationalists. However it is certainly worth exploring.

The event at the Hydro confirmed that the SNP now 'functions religiously' for many of its members. It has ceased being a limited, political organisation and is now an all-encompassing 'movement' with faith at its core.

Ukip/Tory majority will lead to more right-wing policies, more crippling austerity, more needless deaths through benefit sanctions, more civil liberties being stripped away, and the countryside fracked for profit and greed. Scotland must not be submissive, and should stand up and be counted... Returning more SNP to Westminster next May is the only solution.

Salmond has restored Scotland's pride and left us in a better position now than when he started his campaign, long, long ago. He has left the SNP in good hands in Nicola Sturgeon, and has secured a population re-engaged in the politics of Scotland once again, and that in itself is a major accomplishment.

I think Nicola will achieve great things for Scotland, and continue the work that Eck started. She will be a constant thorn to Westminster and she will acquire powers by the strength of her persuasive arguments refusing to acquiesce and relentless demands. Seems like Nicola and the SNP are the only party capable of taking the fight to Farage and Ukip. It is a shame that Miliband doesn't have the same backbone.